SEE(K)ING LIGHT

Before We Were Yours - A Review This week, I'm reviewing Lisa Wingate's novel, Before We Were Yours.  The novel is one of her latest, and the first of hers that I've read. Wingate's experience as a journalist lends itself here in this thrilling mystery, interwoven with humor, spunk, and many heartfelt moments.  You can find more information here or here . Or simply read below the cut.  

In the times you've been given something you don't deserve, no matter what it may be, you don't have to reject it. Learn to accept gifts and grace with gratitude. Instead of apologizing for every little mistake, thank people for their patience, for their kindness, for their commitment. If you can't do much, then simply let them know what an positive impact they've had on you. You don't have to punish yourself for sinning. Earlier this week, my pastor spoke about the ways in which we atone for hurting those we care about. You can't take back things you've said, and undo damage you've done. Similarly, when you sin against God - or anyone, punishing yourself in any way is not the proper solution. If you've apologized, the next step is rebuilding the relationship, working to avoid making the same mistake before. It's in the past. Your sin is covered, Jesus has paid the price for your sin. It is not your job to see to your consequence. Ple...

Setting goals and making schedules is a new thing I'm working on this year, these are just a few off the top of my head. Finishing GRAVES, a Christian Crime Novel I've about a third way done writing. Beginning a new novel, and finishing that this year. Editing GRAVES. Blogging once a month, at least. Reading two to three books per month. Expanding the variety of what I read. Getting to know more bloggers !

From January until basically April I've always found it difficult to stay motivated. It's still dark outside for longer, it's colder, and definitely windier.  The holiday season and all of its glory lies behind us, and people usually feel pressure to make the new year so much better than before that get burned out by February. The mood I find myself in is once again being tired and stressed all the time, and I'm sure others can relate. I don't want this to become something I just become resigned to. It's my Junior year of high school, and it may be difficult to stay on task but I don't want to be miserable. 2018 may not be the year to complete our bucket lists, and get everything done that we want done this year. If we find ourselves still wrestling with things, trying to start over and leave bad habits behind in February, that's okay. If we're there again in March, April, or May, it's okay. May we be reminded that God's mercies a...

If the first thought I have when I open my eyes in the morning is that I didn't do enough the previous day, or didn't put the amount of effort I should have in, or even that I'm a failure in general, I need to change something. That's been my first inclination numerous times, and I'm not talking about changing it only by pressuring myself more. That isn't going to help any. It won't help me, and anyone who struggles with feeling insufficient.  One of the best things I've learned from playing a sport, is that the ability to pick yourself up from the floor can save the game. When the other team has a staggering lead and you expect you'll fail, you'll probably not perform well. When you decide that you're going to lose because that's what it looks like, you have a higher chance of loosing. The best athletes are the ones who can return from making mistakes and succeed because they stay hopeful, they keep their heads up, they keep fighti...

One of the most mysterious  things about love, is that we have a hard time defining what it is, or where it comes from. As a Christian, my belief is that God is the root of love, and therefore, it is not to be easily understood or interpreted . We live it out by thinking of others more.  love As if it is air It fills the quivering soul Presses your weary heart to beat on There is always wanting more A power like nothing else Cleansing, overwhelming, and pure A true craving grows with its taste For love's fulfilling control

It's my second post on here. If I posted the piece I wrote on Thursday, you would imagine I'm good at being productive, that I'm organized, and structured. No.